Portuguese Coastal Camino. Porto to Santiago.

[Sheena]

As it's a significant birthday for me next year, I'm hoping that next May, my husband and I, and some of our walking buddies, will be returning to beautiful Portugal to walk the Coastal Route from Porto to Caminha. We will then be finding a route from A Guarda to Pontevedra along the Vigo River and of course finding a way to end our journey in Santiago!

It will be our fourth Camino and I'm already planning a route even though we've not long come back from walking the Camino Ingles! That's probably because we couldn't walk the route in 2016 as my husband had injured his back and couldn't walk a step. This year it was my turn for problems - I was diagnosed with shingles on Day Two! If we don't encounter any other problems (hips and knees are getting quite dodgy now) we will then have walked nearly all the way, tip to toe of the Iberian peninsula!

Keeping my fingers crossed! And toes! Maybe not my eyes though!

 

[Devon Mike]

Hi Sheena

I will be on the Camino Portuguese in October/November this year starting in Lisbon and walking the main route to Porto then the coastal route to Caminha, a ferry to A Guarda then continuing along the coastal route through Mougas, Baiona and Vigo to rejoin the main route at Redondela. Then walk to Pontevedra where I will go west to the coast on the Variante Espiritual which rejoins the main route at Padron for the final day to Santiago.

Buen Camino

Mike

 

[stevov]

I have just completed the coastal route/senda from porto to Santiago. As Mike above I went via Vila do Conde, esposende, viana, caminha (be advised...no ferry on Mondays!), a Guarda, oia, Baiona, Vigo, redondela, pontevedra, caldas, patron (inland route), and Santiago. It took me 17 days inc a day to see porto, and rest days in baiona and pontevedra and a extra day in santiago (the latter is a must do). Some parts of the senda are poorly signposted and other parts are incomplete. My weather was very hot and bear in mind that parts of the walk on the Portuguese coast are very windy and often there is coastal fog. Other parts taking you somewhat inland are hilly and can include very difficult uneven granite pavement in the forested parts especially. Basic advice, leave early, around dawn especially if it's going to be hot...take reasonable stock of food and water...at least a litre...as you can walk a long time without coming across shops / cafes. You will need a pole or stick. I saw few pilgrims in portugal. Otherwise enjoy...it's a beautiful route.

 

[Mike Savage]

I have just completed the coastal route/senda from porto to Santiago. As Mike above I went via Vila do Conde, esposende, viana, caminha (be advised...no ferry on Mondays!), a Guarda, oia, Baiona, Vigo, redondela, pontevedra, caldas, patron (inland route), and Santiago. It took me 17 days inc a day to see porto, and rest days in baiona and pontevedra and a extra day in santiago (the latter is a must do). Some parts of the senda are poorly signposted and other parts are incomplete. My weather was very hot and bear in mind that parts of the walk on the Portuguese coast are very windy and often there is coastal fog. Other parts taking you somewhat inland are hilly and can include very difficult uneven granite pavement in the forested parts especially. Basic advice, leave early, around dawn especially if it's going to be hot...take reasonable stock of food and water...at least a litre...as you can walk a long time without coming across shops / cafes. You will need a pole or stick. I saw few pilgrims in portugal. Otherwise enjoy...it's a beautiful route.

Congratulations Stevov!

 

[DaisyIrish]

I have just completed the coastal route/senda from porto to Santiago. As Mike above I went via Vila do Conde, esposende, viana, caminha (be advised...no ferry on Mondays!), a Guarda, oia, Baiona, Vigo, redondela, pontevedra, caldas, patron (inland route), and Santiago. It took me 17 days inc a day to see porto, and rest days in baiona and pontevedra and a extra day in santiago (the latter is a must do). Some parts of the senda are poorly signposted and other parts are incomplete. My weather was very hot and bear in mind that parts of the walk on the Portuguese coast are very windy and often there is coastal fog. Other parts taking you somewhat inland are hilly and can include very difficult uneven granite pavement in the forested parts especially. Basic advice, leave early, around dawn especially if it's going to be hot...take reasonable stock of food and water...at least a litre...as you can walk a long time without coming across shops / cafes. You will need a pole or stick. I saw few pilgrims in portugal. Otherwise enjoy...it's a beautiful route.

How frequent are ferries?... or how early ... thank you

 

[jsalt]

How frequent are ferries?... or how early ... thank you

Hi, the ferry runs every hour on the hour, from about 9am to 7pm, but NOT at low tide. I missed one at 11am and had to wait until 3pm for the next one. The schedule changes according to the tides.
Jill

 

[stevov]

How frequent are ferries?... or how early ... thank you

As Jill says every hr on the hr...from 9am till 7pm (10am start on sat and sunday) but excluding Mondays...there is a website showing hours ....http://www.caminhaturismo.pt/ver.php?cod=0E0D
They also post the sailings on the kiosk at the ferry site

 

[DaisyIrish]

Cheers guys much obliged!!!

 

[Sheena]

As it's a significant birthday for me next year, I'm hoping that next May, my husband and I, and some of our walking buddies, will be returning to beautiful Portugal to walk the Coastal Route from Porto to Caminha. We will then be finding a route from A Guarda to Pontevedra along the Vigo River and of course finding a way to end our journey in Santiago!

It will be our fourth Camino and I'm already planning a route even though we've not long come back from walking the Camino Ingles! That's probably because we couldn't walk the route in 2016 as my husband had injured his back and couldn't walk a step. This year it was my turn for problems - I was diagnosed with shingles on Day Two! If we don't encounter any other problems (hips and knees are getting quite dodgy now) we will then have walked nearly all the way, tip to toe of the Iberian peninsula!

Keeping my fingers crossed! And toes! Maybe not my eyes though!

Flights booked!
Due to unexpected family commitments, we're only walking as far as A Guarda now though, then spending a couple of days in Vigo before we come home to beautiful Ireland.
Not long to wait now!

Please can I ask you all two questions?

1. What is the best way to get from A Guarda to Vigo City, bus?

2. If you have any information about the buses to Vigo Airport from the city, early on a Sunday morning?
I'm having great difficulty understanding the websites and would be very grateful if you could help.

Thanks very much.
Sheena

 

[stevov]

My daughter caught the atsa bus in vigo to join me in baiona which is on a route that I believe goes thru to a Guarda....so i checked for you in reverse and on their site http://www.automovilesdetuy.es/horarios.html it does appear there are quite a few atsa buses from a guarda to vigo by slightly different routes. The most direct is possibly the first on the list below (all these are the 'baiona route'...the translation says Bayonne but they mean baiona ) as its via Oia and mougas ie which is directly north up the coast road (the Senda camino). You could try tourist office email to double check but it looks like you should get one or other bus. As far as vigo airport ix concerned vigo has an excellent bus service and there is a station at the airport. Buen camino

THE GUARD - GO TO BAIONA
Main itineraries:

A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Rotes - Coruxo - San Andrés - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne .

A Guarda - Pancenteo - News - Fornelos - O Rosal - A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Roteas - Coruxo - San Andres - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne (tour of O Rosal) or Bayonne - O Rosal .

Camposancos - A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Roteas - Coruxo - San Andrés - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne (route through Camposancos)

 

[Sheena]

My daughter caught the atsa bus in vigo to join me in baiona which is on a route that I believe goes thru to a Guarda....so i checked for you in reverse and on their site http://www.automovilesdetuy.es/horarios.html it does appear there are quite a few atsa buses from a guarda to vigo by slightly different routes. The most direct is possibly the first on the list below (all these are the 'baiona route'...the translation says Bayonne but they mean baiona ) as its via Oia and mougas ie which is directly north up the coast road (the Senda camino). You could try tourist office email to double check but it looks like you should get one or other bus. As far as vigo airport ix concerned vigo has an excellent bus service and there is a station at the airport. Buen camino

THE GUARD - GO TO BAIONA
Main itineraries:

A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Rotes - Coruxo - San Andrés - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne .

A Guarda - Pancenteo - News - Fornelos - O Rosal - A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Roteas - Coruxo - San Andres - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne (tour of O Rosal) or Bayonne - O Rosal .

Camposancos - A Guarda - Sanxian - Oia - Viladesuso - Mougás - Mariñas - Rocamar - Baiona - Sabarís - Ramallosa - Mallón - Nigrán - Priegue - Saians - San Miguel de Oia - Roteas - Coruxo - San Andrés - Caramuxo - Florida - Vigo.
Identification in the schedules: Bayonne (route through Camposancos)

Thanks so much.
I saw those itineraries but wasn't totally sure they meant what I though, so it's great to have confirmation. It would be lovely to take the bus on the coastal route while we are not able to walk it this year.
I will try and contact ATSA for more information.
Sheena

 

[stevov]

Having looked at the detail... in fact all three above go along the coastal senda at least as far as ramallosa and nigran...and I believe I walked near Saians before going slightly inland.

're Vigo buses perhaps the following sites useful

http://www.turismodevigo.org/en/public-transportation

http://www.aena.es/en/vigo-airport/public-transport.html

 

[Barbara06]

Hi Sheena

I will be on the Camino Portuguese in October/November this year starting in Lisbon and walking the main route to Porto then the coastal route to Caminha, a ferry to A Guarda then continuing along the coastal route through Mougas, Baiona and Vigo to rejoin the main route at Redondela. Then walk to Pontevedra where I will go west to the coast on the Variante Espiritual which rejoins the main route at Padron for the final day to Santiago.

Buen Camino

Mike

Hello Mike,
Did you finally do this camino as you describe it above ? It is exactly what I would like to do in February.
Do you have any tips or suggestions from your experience ? (hostels to stay in or not,.. boats schedules,.. etc..).
Thanks
Barbara

 

[Sheena]

Hello Mike,
Did you finally do this camino as you describe it above ? It is exactly what I would like to do in February.
Do you have any tips or suggestions from your experience ? (hostels to stay in or not,.. boats schedules,.. etc..).
Thanks
Barbara

Good afternoon Barbara.
We are due to set foot in Portugal this May!
Flights booked!
Accommodation reserved!
Due to an unexpected family event, my husband and I will not have the time to walk as far as Redondela. We will now be traveling home from Vigo with the rest of our friends.

Our itinerary will therefore be as follows -
Day 1. Porto – Matoshinos (Hotel Porto Mar) – 12kms

Day 2. Matoshinos – Vila Cha/Angeiras (Campismo Orbitur Angeiras) - 10kms

Day 3. Vila Cha – Povoa de Varzim (Grande Hotel) – 15kms

Day 4. P do V – Estella/Criaz(Hotel Contriz) – 15kms

Day 5. Estella – Esposende (Soave Mar)- 12kms

Day 6. Esposende – O. Castelo do Neiva (Qunita do Monteverde) - 13kms
This is a special treat!

Day 7. C do N – Viana do Castelo (Hotel Laranjeira) – 12kms

Day 8. V do C – Vila Praia de Ancora(Hotel Meira) – 18kms.

Day 9. VP do A – Caminha – 6kms, then take the ferry across river.
This ferry doesn't sail on Mondays or at low tides, so you have to plan carefully!
Continue to walk around the headland to A Guarda – distance here depends on route taken.
There is a shorter more direct route cutting across the headland.
Staying at the Hotel Eli Mar for two nights.

Day 10. Day free to explore Santa de Tecla and the mountain.

Day 11. A Guarda – Vigo by bus.
We're still exploring the available bus routes.
Staying for a very special early birthday treat at the NH Collection, Vigo for two nights.

Day 12. Free to explore Vigo.

Are you still planning the same Camino for February Barbara?
How's your planning going?

There are so many people who just go on a Camino with no planning what-so-ever and have a wonderful experience.

We only plan this way because there are a group of us and we're not as flexible or able to walk longer distances as the youngsters!

I'm looking forward to hearing what you decide to do!
Bom Caminho / Buen Camino!
Sheena

 

[Barbara06]

Thank you Sheena for your detailed message !
Yes I am still planning to do this Camino in February. I never book my reservations in advance but I sort of have a guideline plan and then just go as it comes. I usually get there by bus from my home town.
My guideline plan is very different to yours, here is what it looks like :
day 1 : Porto (Albergue de peregrinos. Nossa Senhora de Rosário de Vilar)
day 2 : Vila de Conde (Albergue de Santa Clara)
day 3 : Marinhas (just after Esposende) (Albergue de São Miguel)
day 4 : Carreço (just after Viana do Castelo) (Albergue Casa do Sardão)
day 5 : A Guarda (Albergue Peregrinos municipal)
day 6 : Mougas (Albergue Turístico Aguncheiro)
day 7 : Ramallosa (Pazo Pías) or Vigo (find a hostel..)
day 8 : Redondela (Albergue de peregrinos Casa da Torre)
day 9 : Pontevedra (Albergue de peregrinos de Pontevedra)
day 10 : Monasterio Armentiera (Albergue municipal de Armentiera)
day 11 : Villanova de Arosa (Albergue municipal de Villanova de Arosa)
day 12 : Pontecesures or Padron (by boat, foot or train...)
day 13 : Santiago ..
Have a nice Camino Sheena !
Barbara

 

[Spduncan]

I have a pretty similar to Barbara06, but I have also decided not to book accommodations. I am counting on my future Camino family to help me decide if I want to cross over to the central route part of the way through. I have gathered that that is a fairly common thing to do on the Portuguese.

 

[naplesdon]

It was a lovely walk last year in July and the accommodations were easy to come by. My only hiccup was a beer festival in Caminha which meant the ferry worked on Sunday to bring festival goers there but did not work on Monday.

 

[Ian76]

As it's a significant birthday for me next year, I'm hoping that next May, my husband and I, and some of our walking buddies, will be returning to beautiful Portugal to walk the Coastal Route from Porto to Caminha. We will then be finding a route from A Guarda to Pontevedra along the Vigo River and of course finding a way to end our journey in Santiago!

It will be our fourth Camino and I'm already planning a route even though we've not long come back from walking the Camino Ingles! That's probably because we couldn't walk the route in 2016 as my husband had injured his back and couldn't walk a step. This year it was my turn for problems - I was diagnosed with shingles on Day Two! If we don't encounter any other problems (hips and knees are getting quite dodgy now) we will then have walked nearly all the way, tip to toe of the Iberian peninsula!

Keeping my fingers crossed! And toes! Maybe not my eyes though!

Hi, do you mean may 2018? i am also panning myself to do the portuguese coastal way.... Its my 1st experience and I would love to meet and join a group if it s possible.
Cheerts from Switzerland, IG

As it's a significant birthday for me next year, I'm hoping that next May, my husband and I, and some of our walking buddies, will be returning to beautiful Portugal to walk the Coastal Route from Porto to Caminha. We will then be finding a route from A Guarda to Pontevedra along the Vigo River and of course finding a way to end our journey in Santiago!

It will be our fourth Camino and I'm already planning a route even though we've not long come back from walking the Camino Ingles! That's probably because we couldn't walk the route in 2016 as my husband had injured his back and couldn't walk a step. This year it was my turn for problems - I was diagnosed with shingles on Day Two! If we don't encounter any other problems (hips and knees are getting quite dodgy now) we will then have walked nearly all the way, tip to toe of the Iberian peninsula!

Keeping my fingers crossed! And toes! Maybe not my eyes though!

Hi, do you mean may 2018? i am also panning myself to do the portuguese coastal way.... It will be my 1st experience and I would love to meet and join a group, if it s possible.
Cheers from Switzerland, Ian

 

[Sheena]

Hi, do you mean may 2018? i am also panning myself to do the portuguese coastal way.... Its my 1st experience and I would love to meet and join a group if it s possible.
Cheerts from Switzerland, IG


Hi, do you mean may 2018? i am also panning myself to do the portuguese coastal way.... It will be my 1st experience and I would love to meet and join a group, if it s possible.
Cheers from Switzerland, Ian

Good morning Ian.
Welcome to the forum!

Yes, my friends and I will be walking the Senda Littoral THIS May.
Setting off from Porto along the River Douro.

When do you think you will be arriving in Porto?
Sheena

 

[Ian76]

Good morning Ian.
Welcome to the forum!

Yes, my friends and I will be walking the Senda Littoral THIS May.
Setting off from Porto along the River Douro.

When do you think you will be arriving in Porto?
Sheena

Thank you for answering me! I have flight ticket Geneva - Lisbon on saturday 4th may so on sunday i could be at Porto. And you guys?
IG

 

[Sheena]

Hi Ian.
I think you will be well ahead of us as we only begin walking on the 15th May.
Bom Caminho anyway.
Sheena

 

[Ian76]

ok, thank you
bom camino for you too!

IG

 

[VictorE]

I have just completed the coastal route/senda from porto to Santiago. As Mike above I went via Vila do Conde, esposende, viana, caminha (be advised...no ferry on Mondays!), a Guarda, oia, Baiona, Vigo, redondela, pontevedra, caldas, patron (inland route), and Santiago. It took me 17 days inc a day to see porto, and rest days in baiona and pontevedra and a extra day in santiago (the latter is a must do). Some parts of the senda are poorly signposted and other parts are incomplete. My weather was very hot and bear in mind that parts of the walk on the Portuguese coast are very windy and often there is coastal fog. Other parts taking you somewhat inland are hilly and can include very difficult uneven granite pavement in the forested parts especially. Basic advice, leave early, around dawn especially if it's going to be hot...take reasonable stock of food and water...at least a litre...as you can walk a long time without coming across shops / cafes. You will need a pole or stick. I saw few pilgrims in portugal. Otherwise enjoy...it's a beautiful route.

This is very helpful . I did the interior route and am now planning the coastal. do you have a map recommendation? Vic

 

[stevov]

I referred to the Brierley Guide off and on and found i wandered a bit which wasnt a problem but there is better detail on Luis Freixos site at http://www.caminador.es and Martin Flannery has recently posted an excellent map on his Facebook page. Hope that helps. Ultreia!

 

[Spduncan]

Thank you for answering me! I have flight ticket Geneva - Lisbon on saturday 4th may so on sunday i could be at Porto. And you guys?
IG

I am getting to Porto the morning of the 7th of May.

 

[LouiseW]

Thank you Sheena for your detailed message !
Yes I am still planning to do this Camino in February. I never book my reservations in advance but I sort of have a guideline plan and then just go as it comes. I usually get there by bus from my home town.
My guideline plan is very different to yours, here is what it looks like :
day 1 : Porto (Albergue de peregrinos. Nossa Senhora de Rosário de Vilar)
day 2 : Vila de Conde (Albergue de Santa Clara)
day 3 : Marinhas (just after Esposende) (Albergue de São Miguel)
day 4 : Carreço (just after Viana do Castelo) (Albergue Casa do Sardão)
day 5 : A Guarda (Albergue Peregrinos municipal)
day 6 : Mougas (Albergue Turístico Aguncheiro)
day 7 : Ramallosa (Pazo Pías) or Vigo (find a hostel..)
day 8 : Redondela (Albergue de peregrinos Casa da Torre)
day 9 : Pontevedra (Albergue de peregrinos de Pontevedra)
day 10 : Monasterio Armentiera (Albergue municipal de Armentiera)
day 11 : Villanova de Arosa (Albergue municipal de Villanova de Arosa)
day 12 : Pontecesures or Padron (by boat, foot or train...)
day 13 : Santiago ..
Have a nice Camino Sheena !
Barbara

Hi Barbara,
I'would like to know or you were satisfied by this scheme and if it was easy to find your way. Is the coastal route well marked? I suppose it was easy to find sleeping places in January?
I'm planning for next year (may) and walked Camino Frances before. Far to busy by now.

 

[Barbara06]

Hi Barbara,
I'would like to know or you were satisfied by this scheme and if it was easy to find your way. Is the coastal route well marked? I suppose it was easy to find sleeping places in January?
I'm planning for next year (may) and walked Camino Frances before. Far to busy by now.

Hello Louise,
Yes I was satisfied, but didn't do exactly as written, it was just a guideline : day 1, I stayed at Matosinhos and not at Porto, and I never got to Vilanova de Arosa because it was raining very hard that day and the way was flodded. Yes very easy to find my way, well marked and easy to find sleeping places in February.

 

[LouiseW]

Hello Louise,
Yes I was satisfied, but didn't do exactly as written, it was just a guideline : day 1, I stayed at Matosinhos and not at Porto, and I never got to Vilanova de Arosa because it was raining very hard that day and the way was flodded. Yes very easy to find my way, well marked and easy to find sleeping places in February.

Thanks for your reply Barbara!!

 

[John Briscoe]

Hi Sheena

I will be on the Camino Portuguese in October/November this year starting in Lisbon and walking the main route to Porto then the coastal route to Caminha, a ferry to A Guarda then continuing along the coastal route through Mougas, Baiona and Vigo to rejoin the main route at Redondela. Then walk to Pontevedra where I will go west to the coast on the Variante Espiritual which rejoins the main route at Padron for the final day to Santiago.

Buen Camino

Mike

Mike, Try the lobster in A Guarda. It was terrific.

 

[Sheena]

Mike, Try the lobster in A Guarda. It was terrific.

Last time I was there, I had the octopus - that was great too! I love seafood!

 

[evelinaandpiero]

Hi Sheena

I will be on the Camino Portuguese in October/November this year starting in Lisbon and walking the main route to Porto then the coastal route to Caminha, a ferry to A Guarda then continuing along the coastal route through Mougas, Baiona and Vigo to rejoin the main route at Redondela. Then walk to Pontevedra where I will go west to the coast on the Variante Espiritual which rejoins the main route at Padron for the final day to Santiago.

Buen Camino

Mike

Hi Mike, how was your camino last year? Did you end up doing it in Oct/Nov, as you planned? Was there a ferry from Caminha to A Guarda? Thank you!

Evelina

 

[Devon Mike]

Hi Evelina, my plan was to walk the Primitivo from Oviedo, then a bus to Ferrol to walk the Ingles and finally a bus to Lisbon to walk the Portuguese. Unfortunately due to a medical problem, I had to just walk the Primitivo and the Ingles, so now plan to walk the Portuguese next year.

 

[evelinaandpiero]

One step at a time I am hoping we will do many of them, as well. Good luck, Mike!

 

[Libby123]

Can some of you lovely people confirm that I can pick up my Pilgrim Passport in the Cathedral in Porto when I arrive. Will arrive on 3rd July. Literally one month away. I cannot wait.

 

[stevov]

Yes ....the credential can be had at the cathedral and comes ready stamped as in my photo...bom caminho

 

[La Rubia]

Yes ....the credential can be had at the cathedral and comes ready stamped as in my photo...bom caminho

- is there an office at the cathedral where you pick it up? Can't imagine I just walk up to the altar...

 

[jsalt]

- is there an office at the cathedral where you pick it up? Can't imagine I just walk up to the altar...

Hi, go into the main entrance of the cathedral, and there is a small kiosk on the right, which sells gifts and tickets for the cloisters. They usually have credencials for sale, and will give you your first stamp.
Jill

 

[Lindy Loo]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the great comments. I am doing my second Camino in October this year with my 70 year old sister. We had planned on starting in Valenca/Tui but I am starting to wonder if we should start at Baiona. I'm liking the sound of it more than the other as there seems to be more heavy road walking from Valenca. Any tips or hints please. We have set aside 7 days for the walk as I'd like to take her out to Finisterra once we have completed the walk. I did the Finisterra / Muxia add on when I walked part of the CF a year or so ago and would love to share this amazing spot with her. We had plenty of time and are both fit but I can't decide on a starting point! Many thanks in advance.

Lindy

 

[Anton]

Hello everyone,

Once again this forum is such a wonderful cornucopia of info and such a great tribe!
I hiked the Camino Frances in September/October 2015 and this September my girlfriend and I will be trekking from Porto to Santiago and then out to Finisterre. I have been really pondering whether to take the coastal route or the central route and the details here have been very helpful. I suppose my question is whether the coastal route has enough resources (hostals, cafes, waymarkers, etc) or if the tried and true central route is the more safe and sound way to travel. I've seen quite a bit that the initial trek out of Porto can be a real bear along roads with little to no shoulder.
I understand that this is a very subjective question, all replies and explanations of your experiences are very appreciated!
Ultreia!

 

[loumura]

Good afternoon Barbara.
We are due to set foot in Portugal this May!
Flights booked!
Accommodation reserved!
Due to an unexpected family event, my husband and I will not have the time to walk as far as Redondela. We will now be traveling home from Vigo with the rest of our friends.

Our itinerary will therefore be as follows -
Day 1. Porto – Matoshinos (Hotel Porto Mar) – 12kms

Day 2. Matoshinos – Vila Cha/Angeiras (Campismo Orbitur Angeiras) - 10kms

Day 3. Vila Cha – Povoa de Varzim (Grande Hotel) – 15kms

Day 4. P do V – Estella/Criaz(Hotel Contriz) – 15kms

Day 5. Estella – Esposende (Soave Mar)- 12kms

Day 6. Esposende – O. Castelo do Neiva (Qunita do Monteverde) - 13kms
This is a special treat!

Day 7. C do N – Viana do Castelo (Hotel Laranjeira) – 12kms

Day 8. V do C – Vila Praia de Ancora(Hotel Meira) – 18kms.

Day 9. VP do A – Caminha – 6kms, then take the ferry across river.
This ferry doesn't sail on Mondays or at low tides, so you have to plan carefully!
Continue to walk around the headland to A Guarda – distance here depends on route taken.
There is a shorter more direct route cutting across the headland.
Staying at the Hotel Eli Mar for two nights.

Day 10. Day free to explore Santa de Tecla and the mountain.

Day 11. A Guarda – Vigo by bus.
We're still exploring the available bus routes.
Staying for a very special early birthday treat at the NH Collection, Vigo for two nights.

Day 12. Free to explore Vigo.

Are you still planning the same Camino for February Barbara?
How's your planning going?

There are so many people who just go on a Camino with no planning what-so-ever and have a wonderful experience.

We only plan this way because there are a group of us and we're not as flexible or able to walk longer distances as the youngsters!

I'm looking forward to hearing what you decide to do!
Bom Caminho / Buen Camino!
Sheena

Thanks Sheena for your itinerary!! I loved it as it reaffirmed mine in that it looks really doable for us. I have a health issue at present that reared it's ugly face long after our trip was planned. So I have been forced to adjust the length of our daily walks and your stops are exactly what I had planned out as we do not want to walk more than 10 miles a day, and less preferably. However, we are starting out from Porto March 17th and will cut over to the central trail from Esposende to Perelhal to Barcelos. We are thinking we will see a bit of each of the coast and central sites. We are going to give ourselves 15 days total and arrive in Santiago on March 31st. Here's wishing you a wonderful journey!! This does not have to be a race, but a lovely walk to enjoy from day to day.

 

[Anthony Coyne]

I have just completed the coastal route/senda from porto to Santiago. As Mike above I went via Vila do Conde, esposende, viana, caminha (be advised...no ferry on Mondays!), a Guarda, oia, Baiona, Vigo, redondela, pontevedra, caldas, patron (inland route), and Santiago. It took me 17 days inc a day to see porto, and rest days in baiona and pontevedra and a extra day in santiago (the latter is a must do). Some parts of the senda are poorly signposted and other parts are incomplete. My weather was very hot and bear in mind that parts of the walk on the Portuguese coast are very windy and often there is coastal fog. Other parts taking you somewhat inland are hilly and can include very difficult uneven granite pavement in the forested parts especially. Basic advice, leave early, around dawn especially if it's going to be hot...take reasonable stock of food and water...at least a litre...as you can walk a long time without coming across shops / cafes. You will need a pole or stick. I saw few pilgrims in portugal. Otherwise enjoy...it's a beautiful route.

Is the same route for cyclists?

 

[stevov]

Is the same route for cyclists?

I doubt whether The walking route would be excatly the same for cyclists...some of it is on the beach, i did see bikes on the boardwalks but im not sure this was appropriate. Some of the woodland trails are difficult for bikes...i did see a couple carrying laden bikes slowly thru the difficult parts. I belive there is however a specific coastal route for cyclists. There is a thread on this site which might help ....Cycle Maps for the Portugese Camino Coastal Way

 

[Mycroft]

Thank you Sheena for your detailed message !
Yes I am still planning to do this Camino in February. I never book my reservations in advance but I sort of have a guideline plan and then just go as it comes. I usually get there by bus from my home town.
My guideline plan is very different to yours, here is what it looks like :
day 1 : Porto (Albergue de peregrinos. Nossa Senhora de Rosário de Vilar)
day 2 : Vila de Conde (Albergue de Santa Clara)
day 3 : Marinhas (just after Esposende) (Albergue de São Miguel)
day 4 : Carreço (just after Viana do Castelo) (Albergue Casa do Sardão)
day 5 : A Guarda (Albergue Peregrinos municipal)
day 6 : Mougas (Albergue Turístico Aguncheiro)
day 7 : Ramallosa (Pazo Pías) or Vigo (find a hostel..)
day 8 : Redondela (Albergue de peregrinos Casa da Torre)
day 9 : Pontevedra (Albergue de peregrinos de Pontevedra)
day 10 : Monasterio Armentiera (Albergue municipal de Armentiera)
day 11 : Villanova de Arosa (Albergue municipal de Villanova de Arosa)
day 12 : Pontecesures or Padron (by boat, foot or train...)
day 13 : Santiago ..
Have a nice Camino Sheena !
Barbara

How did it go in February, Barbara? I am going in September and could use any advice. Thanks.